WhiteWave Foods and Mengniu Dairy are eyeing growth in the Chinese nutrition sector through a tie-up announced earlier this week. The deal will enable WhiteWave to rapidly build scale in the Chinese market while Mengniu will benefit from a wider product offering. Katy Askew takes a look at the agreement.

International infant formula manufacturers are adjusting their business practices in China having been found guilty of price fixing. Multinational companies, which were the focus of an anti-trust investigation, say they have emerged from the probe with a "clearer understanding" of the regulatory framework in the country. However, some pundits suggest the probe must be viewed in the context of a wider government push to boost the domestic industry. Katy Askew reports.

The Chinese government has laid out a plan to improve safety standards in the high-profile infant formula sector through a combination of tougher regulation and consolidation. Nevertheless, the question of whether Chinese manufactures can convince consumers of the safety of their products remains. Katy Askew reports.

Chinese dairy giant China Mengniu Dairy Co. just got bigger. It has entered into an agreement that will see it take control of local infant formula maker Yashili. Mengniu is looking to reverse its fortunes in a category in which it has struggled. However, with concerns over food safety remaining high, there is a long road ahead as the company - and the country as a whole - look to build a safe and reliable dairy supply. Katy Askew reports.

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Arla Foods has a sizeable presence in infant nutrition and long-life milk categories in China and the company is now working to develop the long-term potential of cheese in the country. To this end, the European dairy cooperative is opening a cheese innovation facility in Beijing. Senior vice president Frede Juulsen, who is responsible for Arla's business in China, spoke to just-food about the company's plans in the market.

just-food presents the key metrics from company financials in bitesize format, with analyst insight and social media comment alongside graphs illustrating a business' historical performance to give you an easy-to-read digest of the numbers you need to know.

Chinese dairy giant Mengniu said its strategy is paying off today (25 August) as it booked higher sales for the first half of the year, although its profits were dented by losses from associates and other items.

Russia this week reportedly ruled out the use of GMOs in its food production, a further stiffening of its position on the issue. In the US, meanwhile, the Obama administration announced plans to halve food waste in 15 years. And, among a series of stories out of France, came news of raids from the country's competition watchdog on compote manufacturers.

US egg-free spread Just Mayo hit the headlines this week after the country's food watchdog said it had broken labelling rules. Among a number of M&A deals, European nutrition bar maker VSI was sold to US group Hearthside Food Solutions and Mengniu Dairy, one of China's largest dairy processors, insisted the prospects for the sector in the country remained strong.

Fonterra this week made a significant move to boost its business in China, a market that has been problematic for the world's largest dairy exporter. We analysed the group's latest foray, a venture with infant formula producer Beingmate. Elsewhere, dairy dominated our coverage, with news of Parmalat closing in on an acquisition in Brazil and Emmi's surprise profit warning. Canadian dairy giant Agropur also featured on our interview pages, when CEO Robert Coallier sat down with us to discuss the co-op's recent M&A.

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Investors in China Huishan Dairy Holdings Co. could be left feeling a little sour today (27 September), after the dairy firm's debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange saw shares close down on their IPO price.

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Ranking as the largest dairy company in China in 2017, China Mengniu Dairy is trying to enter other markets such as Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. Offering shelf stable milk and flavoured dairy drinks,...